Where you are:

Housing LIN > Resources > Resource Library > Healthy Homes Standard - a foundation for healthier and resilient communities

Healthy Homes Standard - a foundation for healthier and resilient communities

Homes_England_logo

The Government has published this concise set of design requirements and good-practice guidance, intended to be used by Homes England, their development partners, and design consultants involved in the funding, commissioning, development, planning, and design of new homes, to support the delivery of accessible and healthier living environments. It can also be used by other housing providers, developers, and design teams as guidance to inform good practice in the design of new homes.

The healthy homes requirements are divided into the five themes of inclusivity, amenity, efficiency, comfort and control. The healthy homes standard core requirements exceed the existing statutory minimum requirements in a number of areas, including:

  • a.1 Accessibility: All new homes to meet the M4(2) Category 2 standard of accessibility.  In addition, a proportion of new homes to meet Part M4(3) Category 3 ‘Wheelchair dwellings’ should be provided in line with local planning policy
  • d.4 Aspect and, or, views: All homes to be designed to be ‘dual aspect’ wherever possible.

Healthy homes good practice enhancements are also included.

Speaking at the Housing 21 annual conference, the Housing LIN’s CEO and Older People’s Housing Taskforce member, Jeremy Porteus, said:

“We welcome this announcement and await further details from Homes England in relation to accessible design requirements for new affordable social housing and whether this may also be a precursor to the long-awaited legislative change for all new homes.”

The Housing LIN is a founding member of the HoME Coalition, advocating the adoption of improved accessibility standards and housing choices for older people and people with disabilities. We called for greater accessibility requirements in our Top 5 wishes for 2025 (no3).

Furthermore, both the Older People’s Housing Taskforce and the recent New Towns Taskforce reports recommend implementing Part M4(2)/M4(3) of the Building Regulations to ensure new homes are built to accessible and adaptable standards.